looked thin and pale, and seemed to lack her usual activity in
performing her household duties. I frequently enquired if she were ill,
and she had ever replied that she was quite well; only it might be a
little fatigued. But the truth could no longer be concealed. My mother
was ill, and that seriously. She still attended to her daily
occupations, but she was greatly changed; she seemed during the past few
weeks to have grown thin almost to attenuation. She was very pale,
except at times there was a feverish glow upon her cheeks. I was then
too young to detect, as I should now do, the insidious approach of that
foe to human life, consumption. Going one day to visit my mother, I was
so struck by the change so visible in her countenance, I privately asked
Aunt Patience if she did not feel alarmed for my mother? She burst into
tears, and was for some time unable to reply. I had never before seen
Aunt Patience so much affected. I begged of her to tell me if there was
any real cause for alarm, for I had hoped she would be able to dispel
all my fears in regard to my mother. Regaining her composure, she told
me that consumption was hereditary in my mother's family. I had never
before chanced to hear it mentioned, but Aunt Patience now informed me
that several of the family had fallen victims to that disease, and that
she feared it had already fastened upon my mother.

"I am glad," she said, "that you have spoken to me upon the subject. I
have long wished to make known my feelings to you, but I shrank from
giving you pain. I have been unable to persuade your mother to call a
physician. She imagines herself better; but I can see but too plainly
that such is not the case."

I forebore mentioning the subject to my mother at that time; indeed I
could not have done so. I was now thoroughly alarmed--almost terrified,
and it was with a heavy heart that I returned to the dwelling of Mrs.